The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-06-09

cup. but it had no appetite. When
some corn was put in the cup it took
three grains. one at time, and with
great deliberation. 1t appeared to pre-
fer Dennis junior,
why don't it blow up its tail, map
asked he.
There no grasp here. Whin It gifts
an the lawn yell see it pull the string
Having inspected it till they couldn't
rest, the bird, which after discussion
and in difference to the father had been
| called Robert Emmett, was locked up
in the wagon-house in the rear of the
| it. Mrs. Gallagher was not satisfied
She decided to call it Lucille, but had
been physioloically overruled. When
the family retired to bed Mrs. Gallag-
hers mind was filled with visions Of her
front yard converted into tropical
jungle, In which peacocks, birds ofpar-
! adise, and new bonnets of elegant
plumage. stood in line upon the linn bs
Of the trees and poured forth their joys
in melodious roulades and thrilling
roundelays.
1t was the hour Of night.
Mrs. Gallaher's face had sunk in its
soft pillows and her rosy features were
wrapped in lace bonnet de mutt.
which came down over her ears and
shut out all earthly sounds. 1t had
cherry ribbon strings tied under her
chin. All was still with one exception,
which was Gallaher. At regular i'm
teryals he snored defiance to the Eng
lish throne. of which he dreamed.
Suddenly upon the stiffness came
long, loud, blood-curdling scream that
made the windows rattle. 1t wasawful.
whats that?' cried Gallaher,
starting.up.
..What is it. Dennis?" asked Mrs.
Gallaher, awakening and scared.
..C-a-w-h-o-r-r-r-k !!
The HORRIBLE scream was repeated.
Gallaher sprang to the floor.
dennis Oi-Oi'n choke to death wild
this-darn-thing." Mrs. Gallaher was
spluttering with terror. She had pull
ed bonnet de mutt strings into hard
knot and was strangling.
.Howld yure jaw, will oo?" said
Gallaher angrily. He was listening in
tently.
The string parted and freed her ears.
She listened, too. still scared.
..Musha, hope it's not wan O. thin
hurrah away murders
HE has no made to cut her troat an
q noight like this" said Gallaher,
shivering in his nightgown. CAV he
howlds her still she'll freeze quick
enough"
.Cawhorrk!"
1t came again. He grabbed his socks
and drew on his trousers. As he pulled
on his coat he looked out Of the front
window, and BY the light Of the street
lamp saw George Washington Willard
in front of the house and looking up
at the windows. Instantly angry, he
flew down stairs and opened the front
door,
Aha" said be savagely, BY way Of
greeting.
"Heah, Posey. Come heah," said
Mr.. Willard wooingly to the pug dog
which had followed him over. He pre-
tended not to see Mr., Gallaher.
lis it watchin' me CRASH grow We
are?' asked Gallaher sarcastically.
mice doggie; good doggie," said the
other, patting it.
What de We mane?" demanded Gal
laher. going down the walk.
Subterfuge was useless
Il came over. sab, said Mr.. Willard
in precise tones. "hecause l heard
shrieks, sab, in your domicile, sab. l
thought l recognized your wifes voice
sab"
..Howly Mary" ejaculatded Mrs.
Gallaher from the upper window. do
that black naygur say me vice is like
that?'
This was too muck. It could not be
left to Dennis to adjust. She threw on
her petticoats hurriedly.
occasion had caused suspension of
hostilities between the men. They
agreed that it was evidently the murder
of some woman in the vacant lot in the
rear of Gallaher's wagon house. Wis.,
ions of gore and bloody knives made
Gallaher indisposed TO investi-
gate it by himself. particularly in his
defenceless condition. He invited Mil
lard to accompany him, and the latter
accepted. The two men, followed by
the pug, passed on tiptoe along the
alleyway at the side OF the house,
crossed the yard and approached the
wagon house, through which they
would pass to the lot.
The minute he opened 9 door
something came tapping against him
out of the darkness. scratched his face,
and knocked him down. It was the
peacock trying to get cut. Gallaher
was little ratified anyhow. He had
forgotten the bird, and he yelled with
fright as he scrambled to his feet and
ran across the yard. Willard and the pug
had been there some seconds when he
arrived. He looked savagely at Mil
lard to detect the taintest smile. II he
had seen one he would have killed him
on the spot
..It's me paycock." he said hoarsely.
and he said no more, but there was
blood in his eye.
| He found lantern and lighted it.
Then he went back and opened the
door carefully. The pug aching for
destruction, spied the peacock.
"Broo-oo!'' croaked he, with the
coarse bark peculiar to pugs.
.'Cawhorrk!'' screamed the bird de-
family.
Posey abandoned his strategic ad-
vantage between his owners legs and
uncourteously flew at it. The peacock,
glad to meet something it could whip
met him half way. It struck with its
spurs, and, hitting with its wings,
knocked the dog over. Posey squalled
with terror and lay paralyzed, while
Robert Emmett pecked him viciously.
stop him.! Stop him!' cried
Mr.. Willard.
..Let'em alone" yelled Gallaher.
Mr.. Willard, fearful for his pet,
4 u II n 4 u